Closure apparatus



K. E. STANT I CLOSURE APPARATUS Filed Nov. 2 1928 2 Sheets-Sheei 2 Arman-n Patented Get. 33, 1931 UNITED, mm

KYLE -IE. STANT, OF CONNERSVILLE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR THE S'JP'ANUI MACHINE OOMPANY, 0F CONNERSVILLE, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA CLOSURE APPARATUS Application filed November 28, 1928. Serial No. 322,492.

This invention relates to closure means for gasoline tanks attached to automobiles.

The purpose of this invention 1s to provlde a device of this kind that effects a secure closure of the-tank, and at the same time permits a certain amount of ventllationr For this purpose there is provided in the closure a sealing means, which has in combination therewith, a series of ventilating holes and also means for trapping any fluid that has passed out through the ventilating holes.

While it is the object of this inventlon to provide a closure that is especially adapted to be used in gasoline tanks, this closure is also adapted for use in Connection with a radiator, or any other similar place.

For the purpose of illustration there 1s shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of this .invention.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a cross section through the closure, and means for attaching it to the tank spout. I

Figure 2 is a side view of the upper part of the tank spout, with the closure in open position.

Figure 3 is a view of the interior of the closure in closed position.

Figure 4 is a similar view, but not in closed position. v

This invention is adapted to bevapphed to filler spouts in connection with gasoline tanks on automobiles, or in connection with the spouts of radiators.

The part immediately attached to the spout is indicated by the numeral 1, and is in the ring form of a ring member adapted to be screwed onto the filler spout. For the purpose of providing a secure and tight fit between the upper part of the filler spout and the filler spout ring or collar 1, there is a cork sealing This seal ring fits on the upper surface of the filler spout and beneath a shoulder or flange 3 of the filler spout ring or collar 1 so when the collar 1 is securely screwed down upon the filler spout, the cork is pressed between the upper part of the filler spout and the flange 3 to form a close contact so that no gas may escape at this point.

On the upper surface of the flange 3,- 'ust above the part engaging the cork seal, there is a groove for the purpose of receiving a fiber seal 4. This fiber seal cooperates with a part of the closure cap to form a close sealing engagement with the cap. At one side of the filler spout ring or collar there are ear members 5, which provide means by which the closure may be hinged to the filler spout ring. The closure cap is indicated by the numeral 6, and has a lug 7 thereon, adapted to engage between the ears 5 to form a hinged connection between the two.

Extending through the ears 5 and the lug 7 there is'a spindle 9. The opening or hole 8 in the lug 7, through which the spindle 9 passes, is larger at one end than it is at the other. This enlargement is in the horizontal direction so that the cap may have not only a vertical swinging motion at the point of the hinge but may also have a lateral motion over the surface of the filler spout ring. This lateral movement of the cap permits the locking of the cap to the filler spout ring or collar.

For the purpose of interlocking the parts there is provided on the cap a lip member 10, and on the filler spout ring 1 a coacting lip member 11. These lip members are so placed in regard to each other that when the cap is brought down upon the upper surface of the filler spout ring and given a lateral movement these parts engage each other to hold the cap on the ring. These lugs are diametrically opposite the hinge.

Extending down from the central part of the cap there is a stud member 12. This stud member in the present case is in the form of a thlmble, and has on the outer circumferonce thereof a groove, in which there is loon a tank using thepr'essure system the diaphragm must be solid.

The diaphragm is circular in sha e, and has the outer circumference thereof ent up as indicated by the numeral 15, which serves to catch any condensed vapor that may have escaped through the openings. To aid in the trapping of any escaped gasoline there is pro vided a battle ring 16, which is located on the inside of the upturned part 15 but not coming in contact with the diaphragm. There is also located on the outside of the upturned part 15 a second bafile ring'17. These baflie rings, in connection with the upturned part 15, serve to trap the liquid'or vapor that has passed through the ventilating openings or holes. The outer baflle ring does not extend all the Way around, but ends in radial flanges 18. This leaves a short space for the ready escape or evaporation of gasoline that has passed through the ventllating openings. The outside baflle ring also serves the purpose of a guard for-the flexible diaphragm.

By this means there is provided a cap that absolutely controls the escape of vaporizing gasoline from the tank. This control is of" fected, in the first instance, by the close fit between the filler spout ring and the filler spout, produced by the cork seal between the upper part of the filler spout and the spout ring. It is also effected by means of the close connection between the cap and the filler spout ring, due to the yielding diaphragm and the sealing fiber ring.

While this close. coaction is produced be-i tween the foregoing parts, there is provided in the ventilating diaphragm means for regulating or relieving any pressure that might have-been produced in the tank if not needed, and to relieve this pressure in such a way as to avoid any unnecessary escape of the contents of the tank.

I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as may be clearly embraced within my claims and the scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I-claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a closure apparatus,a mouthpiece, a sealing element on said mouthpiece, a cap for said mouthpiece, disc means attached to said cap and adapted to engage said sealing elementfor close engagement between the cap and mouthpiece, said disc having a plurality of ventilating openings therein and cooperating means on the cap and the disc forming a and means on the cap and collar to engage each other to hold the diaphragm in contact Openings therein and means to trap any fluid passing through said 'openings.

a. In a closure apparatus, a collar and a cap, said cap having a sealing means in the form of a perforated disc with upturned edges and baflle members cooperating with said upturned edges to catch matter passing through the perforated disc.

5. In a closure apparatus, a mouth piece, a cover adapted to be locked thereto, a ventila'ting diaphragm carried by said cover yieldingly engaging said mouth piece having an upturned marginal flange, a depending bafile wall from said cover extending to a point closely adjacent to said diaphragm within its flange and betweenthe flange and the ventilation openings of the diaphragm to ing bafiie Wall from said cover extending to a point closely adjacent to said diaphragm within its flange and between the flange and the ventilation openings of the diaphragm to prevent the exit of fluid which may have leaked through the ventilation openings, and a depending centrally located diaphragm supporting means.

7. In a closure apparatus, a mouth piece, a cover adapted to be locked thereto, a ventilating diaphragm carried by said cover yieldingly engaging said mouth piece having an upturned marginal flange, a depending bafile wall from said cover extending to a point closely adjacent to said diaphragm within its flange and between the flange and the ventilation openings of the diaphragm to prevent the exit of fluid which may have leaked through the ventilation openings, a depending centrally located diaphragm supporting means sealed to said diaphragm, and sealing means between the margin of said diaphragm and said mouth piece.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. 

